Marc Marquez says it would be a “mistake” to assume the championship battle is over, despite taking a 72-point lead after winning the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix.
The Honda rider battled with nearest title rival Andrea Dovizioso in the latter stages of the 23-lap Aragon race, coming out on top by just over six tenths after making his decisive move with three laps to go at Turn 5.
Depending on the result of the Thailand Grand Prix in two weeks, Marquez could head to following round in Japan with his first shot at wrapping up the title.
Despite his fifth premier class title now looking a formality, Marquez says it would be a “mistake” to “think the championship is already there”, and says this mentality led him to two race crashes during his dominant 2014 campaign after a run of 11 wins from the first 12 events.
“No, [it's] not finished yet, since I don't have the points that say they cannot overtook me in the championship, is not finished,” he said.
“Now we can do this mistake, start to think that is already there. Already in 2014 I was thinking already on the championship, in Misano, here [Aragon] and then I was pushing too much I crash two races in a row and I did this mistake, think too much about the championship.
“We need to keep focused, we need to keep working because in MotoGP everything can happen, about mechanical, human mistake, on the track, weather conditions, injuries, you never know.
“We need to keep focussed and try to work hard this Tuesday because we have a test here, try to improve, keep focussed and in Thailand will be another race and another chance to win the race.
“But we will take the same risk, I always say I start the weekend with the mentality to win on Sunday, and then during Sunday I see if I can win or I need to be on the podium.”
Soft tyre only chance to beat Dovizioso
Marquez made a last-minute call to change to the soft rear tyre despite not having run it during the weekend, while the Ducati duo of Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo went with the hard.
Despite the durability concerns in the heat, Marquez says running the soft was “the only chance” to beat Dovizioso, as the hard option did not work well with his riding style.
“I did not try that soft tyre in the afternoon in hot temperature but I say I believe on this one, I can manage.
“Another thing is, was the only chance to fight against Dovi because with the hard I felt good but for my riding style was not working in a good way, especially on the entry.
“When I was behind him on the race, I feel really good, really smooth, he really push a lot in the mid-race.
“Then I say okay, now it is time to push, I was able to follow him and then I start to see that he was sliding too much, more than usual, and I say okay, we will arrive until the end.”
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